February recognized as dating violence awareness month

The city of Dripping Springs has recognized February 2022 as “Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month,” according to a recent proclamation from the city.

The proclamation was made at the Dripping Springs City Council meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 8, following a similar proclamation made by the Hays County County Commissioners on Feb. 1. The declaration called upon the citizens of Dripping Springs to work together to raise awareness and prevent dating violence in the community and beyond. It also gave a number of statistics, emphasizing the importance of the initiative.

One in three adolescents is a victim of physical, sexual, emotional, or verbal abuse from a dating partner, according to the Center on Violence Against Women and Children at Rutgers University.

“The effects of dating violence impact youth in all communities and cut across economic, racial, gender, and societal barriers,” the proclamation read. “By providing teens and young adults with education about healthy relationships and relationship skills, and by changing attitudes that support violence, we recognize that dating violence can be prevented.”

Last year, the Hays-Caldwell Women’s Center provided 157 dating violence prevention and healthy relationships presentations to 3,141 teens and young adults.

“For us, our mission, our heart of our mission is prevention work. It’s a long-term investment, we don’t always see the outcomes but it’s definitely the mission-ending work that we’re trying to do by ending violence in the communities that we serve,” said Melissa Rodriguez, executive director for the Hays-Caldwell Women’s Center.

Rodriguez invited the public and community to attend Dripping Springs High School’s Dating Violence Mock Trial on Friday, Feb. 25 at the Hays County Courthouse.

The mock trial is an annual event that began through DSHS in February of 2013. Students volunteer to perform roles in a case where a defendant is accused of committing some sort of relational violence. This can be anything from cell phone text harassment to verbal, emotional, physical or sexual abuse. The simulated trial is performed in the presence of lawyers, judges and court officials and is an opportunity for students to see inside the Texas Judicial System.

The goal is to provide students with the tools necessary to make good decisions and handle difficult situations. All are welcome to attend.

The effects of dating violence impact youth in all communities and cut across economic, racial, gender, and societal barriers.